The common cold is caused by a virus, and there are many viruses that you can contract that will cause you to have the sure fire signs of the “Common Cold”. These symptoms are; dry and sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, sneezing, headache, fatigue, coughing, congestion, and excess mucous. Typically, you will be exposed to the cold virus about once or twice a year. Assuming your cold is not preventing you from breathing properly and that you are able still to get around and function at least for the most part, there are some simple approaches that can help alleviate some of the suffering.

First, even though you likely feel very weak and congested, you really must focus on staying hydrated. Thus your goal should be to drink at least 72 ounces of water per day.

Second, you need to avoid mucous forming foods; these are foods that can increase your amount and thickness of phlegm. These foods to avoid while ill are:

bananas

oranges

peanuts and peanut butter

all dairy

mayonnaise

Sugar and candy

Needless to say your body needs rest, so keep things low key and be sure to get your 8 hours of sleep per night. If you are coughing-up mucous that is yellow, green or brown for more than a day or you have a fever over 101 degrees F, then it is time to head off to your doctor.

A little mucous is good, it is designed to flush out microbes or irritants from your body, yet since the human body is warm and moist, and since mucous is rich in natural sugars this can spell a recipe for disaster. If you have sinus congestion and thick mucous, a product called NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) can really prove effective in getting the phlegm moving.

Good old fashion salt water gargles are also helpful, 1/8 tsp of salt per 4 ounces of warm water. Gargle for 2-3 minutes and then spit out the solution, do not swallow it.

Important to note is that a cold should runs its course in about 7 days, if it lasts longer than that it is time to visit your physician and get checked out if you are not improving. Colds don’t benefit from antibiotics, but if you do end up with a secondary infection and the doctor prescribes an antibiotic it is essential to take a good probiotics to replenish the friend flora in your GI tract.

Another issue is related to stress. Stress has numerous deleterious effects including promoting
inflammation, increasing susceptibility to illness, and contributing to fatigue and lack of mental focus. Addressing stress is critical if you are serious about creating a strong health foundation for longevity, wellness, and improved quality of life. It would be beneficial to consider evaluating your sources of stress using an online assessment tool such as the Stress Solution Tool (SST) to discover hidden and unrealized areas of stress that may be robbing your health and quality of life.

There are several natural herbs and supplements that can help during this down time. For a healthy preventative plan try incorporating daily supplements into your lifestyle. It has also been recommended by leading medical experts that everyone can benefit from taking a high-quality and complete daily multi-vitamin. The reality is that it is the rare person that actually eats a sufficiently healthy and broad diet to ensure the adequate intake of nutrients for all the biochemical processes necessary to not just sustain the human body but to help it truly thrive.

Summary

The “Common Cold” is caused by a virus of the upper respiratory tract. While your body fights off this virus, you will be bombarded by symptoms ranging from coughing to fatigue, and everything in between. The way you will want to support your body during this time is to help boost your immune system.

Health Tips
On the Go!

Improve Posture

1.Avoid slouching. Be aware of your posture as you walk, sit, and drive, keep shoulders squared and head pulled back and up.

2.Imagine a thread pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling. Visualization can help improve your sense of position.

3.If your job requires you to sit for long periods, take frequent breaks to stand, stretch and shake it out.

4.Maintain a strong core to help support proper posture. Add core-training exercises to your daily routine.

5.A firm mattress and ergonomic pillow help achieve proper back support while you sleep, so you'll stand straighter in the a.m.

Please Note: The information and all statements provided on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information provided, and any products or services mentioned, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Please speak with a health professional for your individual health and medical concerns and consultation.